S.A. Writers’ Roundtable: Should city spend money renovating Wolff Stadium or build a new facility for the incoming Triple-A team?

Staff Report

July 3, 2017

Photo: Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News

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The Missions’ Stephen McGee hits April 4 at Wolff Stadium.

The Missions’ Stephen McGee hits April 4 at Wolff Stadium.

Photo: Billy Calzada / San Antonio Express-News

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Might downtown become the home for a new ballpark for the Missions, who are moving up to Triple-A?

Might downtown become the home for a new ballpark for the Missions, who are moving up to Triple-A?

Photo: Ty Wright /Bloomberg

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Colorado’s Derrick White seems to fit the Spurs’ mold.

Colorado’s Derrick White seems to fit the Spurs’ mold.

Photo: Getty Images

S.A. Writers’ Roundtable: Should city spend money renovating Wolff Stadium or build a new facility for the incoming Triple-A team?

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Should city officials spend money renovating Wolff Stadium or build a new facility for the incoming Triple-A team?

Finger: Until economists change their minds, and until studies start showing that spending public funds on sports facilities actually benefits the taxpayers instead of the team owners and a few select businesses, it’s probably still a bad idea in San Antonio, too.

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Young: There is no need to put additional money into Wolff. It’s clear Dave Elmore, head of the Elmore Sports Group, which owns the Missions, would prefer a stadium elsewhere as the family prepares to move the Triple-A Colorado Sky Sox to the city in roughly 15 months. A new stadium is the way to go.

Zuvanich: The only money that should be spent on Wolff Stadium is for its demolition. The Missions’ longtime home is old-looking and outdated compared to other ballparks in the Texas League, and we’re talking about a step up to the Pacific Coast League. So a fresh, modern and stylish upgrade is needed. Wolff’s location also is less than ideal. There’s next to nothing near it in terms of restaurants, bars and hotels.

Colleges

Bragg: They should use Wolff as a bargaining chip. If the owners can fill the stadium out there, they’ve earned a new stadium from the city.

If the decision is made to construct a new ballpark, should it be built downtown, near Toyota Field, by UTSA or somewhere else?

Finger: If Elmore wants to pay for a new ballpark, he is welcome to build it anywhere he chooses. But instead of using a stadium to bring businesses to a neighborhood (which seldom works, as Wolff Stadium and the AT&T Center proved), why not put a ballpark in or near downtown, where people and restaurants and hotels already are?

Young: Downtown is where it needs to be. In sports, downtown stadiums have been most desirable for years now. It still pains me to see where the AT&T Center is located, with the feeling more revenue could be created if the Spurs’ home arena was downtown, where it should be. Think of the benefits a still lacking downtown — though it has improved slightly — would corral. Businesses would pick up. Local residents would have a great attraction to draw them in. Downtown would thrive with a new ballpark. With a new administration, we’ll see if anything changes about the resistance of building a new ballpark downtown.

Zuvanich: I’m not sold on the idea of a downtown ballpark, especially for a minor league team. Is the idea to attract tourists or people who live in San Antonio? Because the latter group visits that part of the city for work, an occasional night out and not much else. A new ballpark should be built where the city is growing and expanding and where retail is abundant, either the North or Northeast Side. Putting it next to Heroes Stadium and Toyota Field could make for a nice sports complex. Somewhere along 281 north of the airport could work as well.

Bragg: The best location, for easiest access, would be near Toyota Field. Most San Antonio residents only go downtown for special events such as parades, or if they have relatives in town. Parking is a hassle and highway access isn’t great.

Evaluate the Spurs’ draft picks.

Finger: Somehow, a guy who quietly emerged as one of the best all-around players in the college ranks — combining offensive efficiency with both a knack and an appetite for defense — slid past teams who were more tantalized by lottery tickets likely never to pay off. And once again, the Spurs were there to pounce, just like they’ve done with picks in the 20s for years. Someday, we’ll stop being shocked by this.

Young: Are the 2017 Spurs rookies talented? Absolutely. The more you learn about Derrick White, the more you look forward to seeing what he’s got, though we may not see him full-time for a few years as the Spurs will use their time to develop him. What you like about White is the fact he stayed the course on his way to being drafted. He took the long route, and stayed motivated to succeed no matter the odds. It shows persistence. His own trainer, Marcus Mason, admitted he didn’t think White was anything special when he first watched him years ago. White convinced him, though, as he continued to get better and now has made it to the NBA. You not only root for a player like that, but also get the vibe he’ll have an impact on this league for years to come if he displays that same persistence and determination to succeed in the league. Both White, and Jaron Blossomgame, can be viewed as potential replacements should Patty Mills and Jonathon Simmons depart via free agency. Should be fun to learn their stories and watch them grow

Zuvanich: Landing White late in the first round was a solid pick by the Spurs, whose philosophy and style should pair nicely with the Colorado guard. He can shoot and score, pass and play defense, and the fact he comes from humble basketball beginnings also fits with the Spurs’ hard-working, selfless mentality. Second-round pick Blossomgame, older than most draftees at 23, could be ready to contribute immediately and provide some strong interior defense.

Bragg: Classic Pop/R.C., finding value late. The tape on the guys looks good and nearly every pick they make is serviceable.

Which teams fared the best and worst in the NBA draft?

Finger: After years of mismanagement, Sacramento resisted the urge to overcomplicate things and nabbed a potential franchise player in De’Aaron Fox, then wisely traded its next pick for two of Portland’s (which turned into Justin Jackson and Harry Giles). Chicago, meanwhile, looks like it made a complete mess of its teardown, and it might take years to recover.

Young: The Golden State Warriors made out like champions. The club purchased the rights (a maximum $3.5 million) to Oregon’s Jordan Bell from the Bulls. NBA scouts seem to love this guy. Bell has a high motor. He’s a solid rebounder and appears to have that defensive versatility that’s needed in today’s NBA, with the ability to switch all five positions. You might call him another version of Draymond Green, who the team already has. Now the Warriors have two versions. Not bad. Speaking of the Bulls, as of now, they didn’t fare that well. Their franchise player in Jimmy Butler, gone, for Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn. And then they get the No. 7 pick (Lauri Markkanen) from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the Bulls’ No. 16 (used to draft Justin Patton). If the Bulls are committed to rebuilding, why not demand to receive that No. 7 pick and keep the other first-round selection? Butler is worth it, isn’t he? In a few years, we may look back on this draft and conclude the Bulls didn’t fare that poorly. As of now, though, that’s not the case. Nice drafts for the Philadelphia 76ers, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers, who not only landed Lonzo Ball but also Villanova product Josh Hart, who might surprise a lot of people in a few years.

Zuvanich: The Kings took a few steps toward shedding their status as a Western Conference bottom feeder by making a deal with the Trail Blazers that gave them three of the first 20 picks. They left the draft with talented point guards Fox from Kentucky and Frank Mason from Kansas, sharpshooter Jackson from national champion North Carolina and big man Giles from Duke. All are winning players from winning programs. As for which teams had the worst draft, it’s got to be the Cavaliers and Wizards, who had no picks. It’s hard to have a good draft when you don’t actually draft anyone.

Bragg: Sacramento won the draft and Minnesota won the extracurricular trade war. Both teams got alarmingly better, with the Kings hauling in four solid young players. They’ll need vet leadership for a while. The Wolves got it with Jimmy Butler and they’ll contend for the playoffs immediately.

Has the Houston Astros’ surge to the top of the American League standings resonated locally?

Finger: Baseball engenders some of the most passionate fan bases in sports, and for those San Antonians who grew up loving the Astros, this is turning into a special summer. But to capture the attention of more casual observers, the Astros probably will have to do it in October.

Young: One can only wish. I moved to San Antonio in 2013 from Philly, where baseball is deeply rooted and loved. Since relocating, I have not seen the MLB resonate in this town as much as I thought it would. It’s both understandable and disappointing. The Astros are based in Houston. That is competition in San Antonio. But the Astros are closer than the Rangers, and there is no MLB here, so why not show some support? It’s hard to be excited about the Astros here, if the fans show no interest. Until that changes, the Astros can win the World Series, and I’m not sure people would care. Besides, by that time, the Spurs would be back in action. Astros vs. Spurs, we all know who wins that interest battle.

Zuvanich: Yes and no. If San Antonio has a favorite MLB team, it’s the Astros. That’s the case whether the team is good, bad or mediocre. Those who follow the team are paying attention and happy with how it is doing. At the same time, the Astros are not at all the talk of the town. Not like the Spurs, Cowboys or Longhorns. Maybe that will change as summer wears on and the postseason approaches.

Bragg: This has always been an Astros town. Local sports talk has not picked up on it yet, but a local host tells me to wait until late August. If the Astros are still on top of the AL West, San Antonio will take notice.